Hello, I've read your description carefully and I can see that you're confused and that you have some inner needs.
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As the saying goes, "There are 1,000 Hamlets in 1,000 people." I don't know what others think when they read your description, but my feeling is that your gut is telling you that the old man won't be good to you. You think he has an ulterior motive, and you've analyzed all the reasons, but you still doubt it.
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So, this old man should be someone you really respect. You admire him, and you value the help he can give you. But you don't understand why he's helping you, so you feel like you're on thin ice when you're with him.
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I'd like to take a moment to share some thoughts based on what I've read. I hope you'll find them helpful.
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Do you lack confidence in yourself?
Your description reminds me of one of my younger brothers. He often asks us, "Why is that person being nice to me?" and "What's his agenda?"
If it's a girl, he'll think people like him. If it's a guy, he'll think people want to take advantage of him and spend his money.
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I always thought his way of thinking was pretty extreme, but then I slowly started to understand it better by looking at his situation at home. Because he has an amazing older sister and his parents are the "face of the family" in public, he has felt inferior to his sister since he was a kid. So, he also feels like he's not capable, and it's difficult for him to be confident around people who aren't recognized by him.
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Of course, everyone's situation is different. From what you've told me, it seems like you're not very confident in this relationship. You think it might be because you impressed the elderly person with a careless remark you made when you were 14 years old, but you don't believe that a careless remark of yours can impress someone else.
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Why not? You can empathize with an elder in an appropriate way, which is a kind of empathy ability. Not everyone can do it properly.
You feel like you're just a joke because this ability is part of you, and you're not aware of how rare it is. But maybe this is what makes you special to the elderly.
2. Why look into what the older generation is really up to?
It seems like you're a bit confused about whether the elderly value you. You've posted a high reward to ask people to help you analyze various possible reasons. I'm not sure why you want to know the reason, though.
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From the words "appreciate," "value," and "help me succeed," it's clear that the elderly person can provide a lot of help. Are you not happy about this, but feel pressured? Are you afraid that the elderly person expects too much from you? Or are you afraid that you'll become a tool to satisfy the elderly person's needs?
You're also worried that you won't be able to meet his demands and expectations.
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I know this is a tough one for you. It's hard to find a solution when you're feeling this confused. But I believe the answer is still within you. First, you need to figure out why you want to understand the intentions of the elderly. Second, you need to find the answer to this question yourself.
3. Some tips for solving the problem
First, to build up your confidence, try some positive training. One way to do this is to do the mirror exercise.
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Stand in front of the mirror and take a look at your whole body. Adopt a kind, friendly, and concerned attitude towards the person in the mirror.
Compliment the person in the mirror. You can definitely say something nice about yourself (for example, your ability to empathize), form some thoughts in your mind, and if a negative thought arises, find a positive one to counter it. Treat your own strengths and weaknesses fairly.
Be kind to yourself, just as you would be to the people you love. Allow yourself to experience these feelings and thoughts, and keep them in your heart for as long as you need to. When you feel anxious, call on them to help you through it. Don't let your vulnerable side take over.
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Second, communicate with the elderly openly and honestly. They've lived longer than we have, and there's a reason why they value you. Since they've been open and honest with you about their past experiences, you should also try to let go of your doubts and be honest with them. If you have doubts, why not just ask them directly?
You can try to tell him what's on your mind and share your concerns and emotions with him. Don't be afraid to be honest with others because getting along with others is about looking beyond the surface to what's really important.
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Finally, take an objective view of the elderly's attention. People are relatively selfish. No matter what the elderly's intentions are, they are their own thoughts, which you cannot change or interfere with. However, you can change your own mindset. When it comes to the elderly's attention and help, just accept it with an open mind within your own internal limits. Don't burden yourself too much and cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Just go with the flow of your own existence. If, on the contrary, the elderly's help causes a lot of negative emotions of entanglement and anxiety, it will run counter to the original intention of the parties involved.
Hi, I'm Cici Ai. I'm an 80s generation person who uses psychology to help myself heal. I hope you can understand if I've misinterpreted anything. I hope my sharing can help you in some way!


Comments
Resonance is such a powerful concept, it's as if we share a wavelength that allows us to connect on a deeper level. The moment I saw his face, I felt like I could almost read his mind, but I know there are limits to how open he can be. His wisdom and the depth of his experiences make it hard for him to fully open up, and even if he did, I wonder if I'm ready for what comes with it. There's no rush in this relationship; things unfold in their own time.
It's interesting how sometimes a simple statement can have such a profound impact. At 14, I didn't realize the weight of my words when I spoke about his hardships. Yet, those few sentences seemed to touch something within him. He responded in a way that made me feel seen and understood, which was surprising given our age difference. From that point on, our bond grew stronger, and he began sharing parts of himself that I never expected.
I often think about the day I mentioned his past losses. It wasn't until then that he opened up about his struggles and triumphs. He started talking about his childhood, the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the Reform and Openingup era. As much as I enjoyed listening, I still wonder why he chose me to confide in. Maybe it was because I reminded him of someone from his past or because he saw a reflection of his own pain in me.
Looking back, that conversation marked a turning point in our relationship. I was just a kid, but my words seemed to resonate with him in a way that nothing else had. He started to trust me with his stories, and in return, I felt an immense responsibility to listen and understand. Even now, I can't fully grasp why he valued me so deeply, but it's a connection I'll always cherish.
The word "resonance" captures the essence of our connection. Despite the generational gap, we found common ground in shared experiences of hardship. That day, I said something that struck a chord with him, and it changed everything. He began to rely on me emotionally, sharing not only his memories but also his vulnerabilities. It's a privilege to be trusted in such a way, and I wish I could understand why he felt so connected to me.